State Focuses on Developing Aerospace Industry
Playing to Hawai`i's prominent role in astronomy worldwide, Lt. Governor Aiona expressed strong support Thursday for aerospace development in the state before an audience of federal officials at a legislative briefing inside the State Capitol.
State and federal officials briefed legislators inside the State Capitol.
Lt. Governor Aiona cited the more than $1 billion invested in observatories atop Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountain from its base on the ocean floor and the home to several of the world’s most powerful telescopes.
He also pointed to the newly-created Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) at the University of Hawaii campus in Hilo, where it is working closely with NASA under a Memorandum of Understanding to further space exploration through research and projects in Hawai‘i.
At the same time, the Lt. Governor mentioned that the Administration opened in July 2007 an Office of Aerospace Development, laying the groundwork for tourists to take flights from Hawai‘i to the edge of space one day.
In March 2007, the State formed a partnership with NASA on a variety of programs in support of the Vision for Space Exploration, NASA's plan to return humans to the moon and later travel to Mars. Under the terms of the agreement, Hawai`i and the NASA Ames Research Center, located in California's Silicon Valley, are exploring future collaborations in commercial space initiatives and innovative programs supporting research, education and workforce development in aerospace fields.
In addition, the Lingle-Aiona Administration secured a $1 million grant from NASA to hold a FIRST in Hawai`i regional robotics competition for four years. Robotics is a critical component of the Administration's Hawai`i Innovation Initiative because it engages students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
- Learn more about Hawai`i robotics.
- Learn more about Hawai`i's aerospace industry.
